Banned Younus Khan signs for Surrey

London:

Former Pakistani cricket captain Younus Khan signed for English county Surrey on Tuesday on a contract that will see him stay till mid-July.

Surrey had been linked with West Indian legend Brian Lara but instead opted for 32-year-old Younus.

Younus has had a tempestuous year having been banned in March indefinitely by the Pakistan Cricket Board along with another former captain Mohammad Yousuf on charges of "infighting which resulted in a negative influence on the team," on recent foreign tours.

Younus' arrival is subject to him gaining a visa but he is expected to arrive at The Oval by next week.

World Twenty20-winning captain Younus - who is awaiting a decision on his appeal against the indefinite ban - has appeared in 224 limited overs internationals and has an impressive Test match average of 50.09 in 63 tests.

He previously had spells in English cricket with Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.

"I am confident that bringing a world-class player such as Younus Khan to Surrey will have a very positive effect on the side," said Surrey manager Chris Adams.

"As well as benefiting from the weight of runs we hope he will bring, we have a number of young batsmen who will doubtless benefit greatly from being able to train and play alongside him.

"In terms of Twenty20 cricket, the experience and skills that saw him lead Pakistan to the ICC World Twenty20 title in 2009 are sure to greatly help us in our pursuit of the trophy.

However, Younus will not be joined at Surrey by India leg spinner Piyush Chawla, who has been refused permission by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.